Posted on: October 9, 2023, 01:00h. 

Last updated on: October 9, 2023, 01:00h.

Good news for Macau casino operators as average wagers from premium mass bettors reach record highs. Latest survey shows these bettors placed an average bet of $3,784 per hand, just 3% below the record set in 2019. Premium mass visitors are outperforming mass market clients, aiding Macau’s resurgence as the world’s largest casino hub. Further evidence of the rebound is seen with a surge in whale activity, as the biggest bettors return with higher average wagers.

Note that it took a total of 928 premium mass players seen in February 2019 to reach the circa $1.97 million total wager observed,” according to the bank. “This is a stark contrast to this month’s numbers: 508 players were seen wagering an aggregate of approximately $1.92 million.”

The positive trends among premium mass visitors are encouraging for Macau concessionaires, especially after a slow September due to Typhoon Saola. Macau’s rebound is fueled by increased play from premium mass bettors, which is helping the city regain its position as the world’s largest casino hub. Macau’s casino operators generated $10 billion in the first half of this year, surpassing Nevada’s $7.5 billion. The concentration of premium mass benefit goes to Galaxy Entertainment, followed by Melco Resorts and Entertainment, Wynn Macau, and Sands China. MGM China and SJM Holdings are the other two operators in Macau. The return of whale activity further supports Macau’s positive trajectory, with a higher number of whales and improved wager quality.